rvSafe’s guide to tyres

Here are a few top tips to keep your tyres from getting tired.

Tyres degrade with age

If your tyres are over five years old, they need to be checked for degradation by a reputable tyre business each year. And once they have reached 10 years old, they need to be replaced regardless of the tread left.

The age of your tyre is printed on the tyre wall. Look for where text starts with “DOT”. The last four digits of the code represents the week and year the tyre was made. For example, 4922 is the 49th week of 2022.

"A shockingly loud blast rocked the cabin. We were travelling at about 90km. The inside rear tyre exploded. We have a 32-foot Nullarbor motor home. The blast blew the wheel arch apart ripping the metal lining out and blowing the side panel off the RV. It damaged the fuel entry pipe and embedded steel into the outside tyre.

The damage was a real mess and an incredibly frightening experience. Always keep your tyres under the use by date. Not enough is done to make the market aware of this. My explosion is a great reminder for me to keep this in mind" - CMCA member

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Tyre pressures

Keep tyres (including the spare) inflated to the recommended levels. Too much or too little air causes uneven wear, reduces handling and grip, and shortens the life of the tyres.

Tyre pressure can be too low, and you will not be able to notice with the naked eye – so get yourself a tyre pressure monitor or check at the service station next time you fill up.

Tyres on RVs typically carry more weight than standard vehicles which makes it even more important to have the correct tyre pressure. The tyre placard will stipulate the tyre pressure for your rig, and we recommend checking your tyre pressures before heading off on your trip.

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Tyre treads

Inspect your tyres for uneven bulges, cuts and cracks. Remove any objects lodged in the tread and check for gouges or punctures.

Tyres must be replaced before the tread depth falls to 1.5mm however we recommend you change tyres at 3mm. Most tyres have tread depth indicators as a guide or you can use a 20 cent coin. To measure your tyre’s tread depth, place an Australian 20c coin into one of the central circumferential grooves of your tyre. If the tread doesn’t reach the bill of the platypus, your tyre has less than 3mm of tread remaining. It’s time to invest in some new tyres to make sure you stay safe while driving.

Unusual vibrations or uneven wear (bald) spots on tyres may suggest that a wheel balance is needed to avoid excessive loading to the vehicle’s wheel bearings and suspension.

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Don’t forget your spare

You need to ensure that it has pressure and is suitable for use in an emergency.

More information

rvSafe is designed to increase road safety awareness and education specific to the RV industry. The project is funded through the Federal Government’s Road Safety Awareness and Enablers Fund and is proudly supported by the Campervan & Motorhome Club of Australia (CMCA). Find out more at rvSafe.com.au and cmca.net.au

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